Bookpleasures.com welcomes as our guest Laurie Singer author of  You're Not Crazy: Living with Anxiety, Obsessions and Fetishes.

Laurie is a  Board-Certified Behavior Analyst. She earned her post-graduate certification in Applied Behavioral Analysis from Kaplan University. 

She began her college studies at Oxnard College and at UCLA, and completed her undergraduate degree at UCSB, graduate degree from California State University of Northridge. 

Laurie has been a practicing Behavioral Specialist since 1995 and in private practice since 2004. 

Norm: Good day Laurie and thanks for taking part in our interview.

What has been your greatest challenge (professionally) that you’ve overcome in getting to where you’re at today?

Laurie: Well, I would have to say my greatest challenge professionally has been believing in myself, academically.  I was undiagnosed with ADHD as a child. My grades in elementary school up through high school were barely passing.

I thought of myself as “not a smart person.”

When I was asked to run cross country for Oxnard City College, I was terrified because I would have to take “real” classes to be on the team. I applied the same principles in training for a race to my college classes.

It paid off and I graduated valedictorian. I continue to apply the same principles to my practice.

I believe in people. If I could get an education, licensed and board certified, then I feel certain, that others can achieve their goals, as well.

I had to come to the realization that some people are not ready to move forward, for whatever reason. It is difficult for me to accept, but I have learned through the years not everyone is ready for change. They come to me to help them, but the challenge is getting them to believe in themselves. 

Norm: What is a behavior analyst and what made you become interested in becoming one?

Laurie: Behavior Analysis is the scientific study of the principles of learning and behavior.This field of science is concerned with describing, understanding, predicting, and changing behavior.

They seek answers by looking at the biological and environmental factors, although they are primarily interested in the role of environment in behavior change.

Applied Behavior Analysis is focused on the application of the principles of behavior to the needs of individuals to promote behavior change and improve quality of life. 

I became interested in obtaining my Board Certification in Applied Behavior Analysis because I was already using the principles of behavior therapy while working with clients under my licenses as a marriage family therapist but wanted more education/knowledge and credibility in the field of ABA.

Norm: What Do You Enjoy Most About Being A Therapist? 

Laurie: This may sound corny, but what I enjoy most about being a therapist is changing people’s lives for the better.

When people come to see me, they are at a loss. Most of the time they have no self-worth, no direction and are stuck.

I help them regain something they never thought possible. It is amazing to watch the transformation. Not only within the individuals themselves but the entire family has newfound hope.

Norm: Can you tell our readers a most remarkable progress you have witnessed in using your hybrid method of two therapy techniques, Behavioral Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in dealing with a patient?

The picture showed a headstone with his initials, under his headstone it read: Is this what I want? Is this peace? Can I find my way out? This poor kid was experiencing so much anxiety.

The isolation from COVID had taken its toll on him. He was feeling anxious while on Zoom school sessions, the thoughts of death and dying were consuming him. He wanted help; his parents were at a loss.

I had the entire family take data. On the third session, I implemented the behavior plan. I met with the family 10 days later.

The young man had made significant gains. He was no longer stuck, the frequency of his anxiety and thoughts of dread had decreased, significantly.

The duration of his anxious episodes had decreased as well. Both mom and dad were following the behavior plan. The young man was given hope back into his life, he began believing in himself.

This is the reason I do what I do!

Norm: What kind of patient-therapist relationship do you avoid when treating patients? 

Laurie: What I try to avoid when establishing a patient-therapist relationship, is taking a case personally if therapy does not work.

I have gotten much better at not personalizing the lack of success when it comes to clients/patients. The fact is not everyone is ready for change and/or willing to do the work.

CBT and Behavior therapy is work. A client must take data and run the treatment plan I prepare for them. When people change their behavior, it effects the entire family. Some families do not want the “identified” patient to get better because then they must focus on their own issues. 

I do not have a magic wand but I know these two modalities of therapy work, so it is a bit frustrating when there is lack of follow through.

If therapy is not working, I tell the client I do not want them to waste their money coming to see me. I ask them to please come back when they are ready to work.

Norm: Before applying your therapy technique, what is the basic information you collect while compiling initial case history? 

Laurie: Before we begin any treatment plan and/or any gathering of data taken outside the office, I look for some type of connection or clue to when the behavior first started. Individuals are often surprised that they themselves can pinpoint the first time the maladaptive behavior started.

From that point in history, we retrace the beginnings of the behavior, how it increased over time and where they are now with the behavior they want to change. For example, the frequency, duration, and intensity typically started off low and has increased over time. 

Norm: How has the pandemic affected your practice? 

Laurie: I cannot tell you how many people of all ages are suffering from anxiety and depression due to the pandemic. Individuals with OCD are engaging more often in their ritualistic behavior, as well. It is really overwhelming at times.

People reach out to me because they are in desperate need of changing their behavior. 

It is difficult for me to turn them away because I know my therapy works. I am working way, way too much, but when I get a phone call from someone who I believe would be a good fit and they have lost all hope, what can I do?  

Norm: When did the idea for You're Not Crazy: Living with Anxiety, Obsessions and Fetishes first emerge?  As a follow up, what motivated you to write You’re Not Crazy: Living with Anxiety, Obsessions and Fetishes?

Laurie: The idea of writing a book came to me about 10 years ago. I work with a few physicians in the area, they refer clients to me and they were incredibly happy with the results they had seen after receiving therapy from me.

The physicians recommended I write a book on the modalities of therapy I use in my practice. Unfortunately, my mother was just diagnosed with cancer, so the book was put on hold. Then my father became ill, and I cared for him.

My practice was growing at an extremely fast rate and my time was limited. When I turned 60 years old, I decided it was now or never. I turned 60 in January of 2020, started writing my book right away and then the pandemic hit a few months later.

Norm: What were your goals and intentions in this book, and how well do you feel you achieved them?  As a follow up, what purpose do you believe your book serves and what matters to you about the book?  

Laurie: My intentions with writing this book are to let people know there is hope. I want everyone to have the opportunity to utilize the methods I use in my practice.

I put case studies in my book to show readers they are not alone. Most people who come to see me do not realize many others are experiencing similar difficulties. The readers can identify with some parts of the cases themselves. In the middle of the book, it shows what the outcomes of the cases were offering the reader hope.

There is a workbook in the back of the book. People can use the methods for themselves.

I am extremely happy with the outcome of the book.

The book was written as a self-help book, for the individuals or family members in distress, not for academia. 

What matters to me is letting people know they have a chance. There are concrete tools in the book to help them get through a difficult time in their life. Getting the reader to believe in themselves. 

Norm: What was the most difficult part in writing the book?

Laurie: Oh my gosh, the most difficult part of the book was how to get started. I often tell my support team, remember, “this is my first rodeo.”

There is something to be said about having ADHD, people like myself do not give things too much thought we go full steam ahead. 

I did not know the amount of work I was getting into with writing the book. On top of writing the book, I had to focus on keeping all my employees working during the pandemic and making sure our clients were getting their needs met.

My company has a case load of serving over 100 clients with developmental disabilities, during the pandemic it took a lot of endurance and strength to keep things going. 

Norm: What was one of the most surprising things you learned in writing your book?

Laurie: I think one of the most surprising things I learned from writing this book was the outcome. The book came together just the way I had intended.

I was able to share some of my own life experiences and stories of my clients whose lives changed dramatically. It has been a wonderful process. 

Norm: Many people have the skills and drive to write a book, but failure to market and sell the book the right way is probably what keep a lot of people from finding success. Can you give us 2-3 strategies that have been effective for you in promoting your book? 

Laurie: Marketing the book is the next step after the completion of writing it. This has been a learning process for me and continues to be one.

What I did was reach out to anyone I knew who I thought could give me resources. I interviewed so many people. I would tell people who just finished writing a book, it is not over…. there is more work to be done. I contacted people I had not talked with in a few years.

What I found was that most everyone was more than happy to help me. I lined up interviews. Sometimes it was difficult to decide who to use, so I would set up another interview and when I had a gut feeling this was the right person, I went with it.

A person writing, publishing, and marketing their book must trust their team. The team they build is one which has the individual and book in their best interest. I feel fortunate I picked the right team. 

Norm: Where can our readers find out more about you and You're Not Crazy: Living with Anxiety, Obsessions and Fetishes?

Laurie: If people want to find out more about my book You’re Not Crazy: Living with Anxiety, Obsessions and Fetishes please look up my WEBSITE 

Norm: What is next for Laurie Singer?

Laurie: The next step for me, make everyone aware of the book so they can utilize the methods. I truly feel we could all benefit from this book.

We are living in uncertain times; this book was written so anyone who picks it up will gain knowledge and insight to living a healthier life. 

Norm: As this interview comes to an end, if you could go back ten years and give yourself one piece of advice what would that advice be? 

Laurie: If I could go back 10 years in time one piece of advice, I would give myself would be to slow down but I do not think I can slow down it is not who I am!! 

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